
Easter kulich with kefir
Description
The recipe won't take much time. To succeed in baking kulich, it's important to start with a good mood. Eliminate drafts. It's also important not to make the dough too stiff. This will affect the texture and the flavor. Serve warm or chilled. Perfect with tea.
Instructions
- 1
Step 1

Prepare the necessary ingredients.
- 2
Step 2

Rinse the dried fruits and cover them with boiling water. Let stand for 15–20 minutes.
- 3
Step 3

Cut the dried apricots into thin strips.
- 4
Step 4

Coat the prepared dried fruits in flour. Set aside.
- 5
Step 5

Kulich dough is conveniently kneaded in a bread machine. Load the ingredients according to your instructions.
- 6
Step 6

Select the “Dough” function, set the time to 1 hour 04 min. Watch the dough as you knead; you may need to add extra flour.
- 7
Step 7

As soon as the dough comes together into a ball and no longer needs extra flour, add the dried fruit and let the process continue until finished. If you don’t have a bread machine, the dough‑making process is as follows: beat the egg with the sugar until the crystals disappear. Add warm kefir, salt, vanilla, and softened butter. Mix everything thoroughly. Combine the flour with the yeast, adding in small portions. At the very end, add the dried fruit. Knead well, place into a bowl, cover with plastic wrap. Let stand for 1 hour.
- 8
Step 8

After an hour, knead the dough. Try to eliminate all the bubbles.
- 9
Step 9

Divide the dough into two parts.
- 10
Step 10

Grease the baking pans with a thin layer of butter. Spread the dough into the pans, filling them to 2/3. Cover with a towel and let rise for 1 hour in a warm place. The dough should double in size. Preheat the oven to 180°C.
- 11
Step 11

When the dough has risen, place the kulichs in the preheated oven for 35–40 minutes. Do not open the oven door!
- 12
Step 12

While the kulichs are baking, prepare the glaze. In a deep bowl, mix the egg whites and powdered sugar.
- 13
Step 13

Whisk into a thick, homogeneous, glossy mass.
- 14
Step 14

Immediately generously glaze the hot kulichs.
- 15
Step 15

Decorate the kulichs as desired and place them in a warm oven for 3-4 minutes.
- 16
Step 16

Finished kulichs need to rest, so place them in a cool place (not a refrigerator!) for 5 hours, ideally overnight. A rested kulich has a fibrous, fluffy texture.
- 17
Step 17

Bright holiday!